Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund
Forecasted
The Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports innovative science and technology to prevent vessel collisions with endangered whales, especially North Atlantic right whales.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027: Pre-Proposal submission deadline (projected) | June 2027: Full Proposal submission deadline (By Invite Only) (projected)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards: $250,000–$750,000; larger or smaller requests considered; project duration up to 24 months.
Summary: Supports development and adoption of innovative technologies to help mariners avoid vessel strikes with endangered whales, especially North Atlantic right whales, along the Atlantic Coast.
Key Information: Pre-proposal required; full proposals by invitation only; international and for-profit applicants eligible.
Description
The Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with NOAA, advances technology-based solutions to reduce vessel collisions with large whales—particularly the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale—along the Atlantic Coast. The fund accelerates the development, testing, and adoption of innovations that can both protect marine life and minimize operational impacts on commercial and recreational vessels. Projects should focus on real-time detection, vessel strike avoidance, whale behavior research relevant to strike reduction, or new engineering approaches. Collaborations with mariners and Atlantic coast stakeholders are strongly encouraged.
